We understand that calling our Clearing hotline and speaking to someone you don't know can feel a bit daunting. It is a vital part of the Clearing process though, as it allows our Admissions team to confirm that you are eligible for the course you're interested in and make sure there is availability for you.
Once you call us on 0800 009 3375, you will be connected to someone in our friendly Clearing team who is here to help you. The call tends to be quite quick - here are some useful tips to help you prepare and nail that Clearing call:
Preparing for the call
Research
We’d suggest checking out our course pages, so you know which course you’d like to study with us. You’ll also be able to see the course modules and the locations you can study the course at. We would also recommend finding out a bit about the campus city you wish to study in, our Student Union and the support available to you. This will not only help you to answer some of the Clearing questions when you call us but also give you an idea of what your student experience may be.
Practice your answers
It is common to feel nervous about making phone calls and a good way to ease these nerves is to do some practice calls with a friend or relative before calling us. This is a great opportunity to figure out what your answers are likely to be.
Ahead of making your call you should have to hand:
- Pen and paper
- The name of the course you're interested in
- Your results
- UCAS application number
Additional things to think about
- Find a quiet space that offers good signal before calling to minimise any noise or disruption.
- If possible, position yourself close to a computer or laptop.
- Make sure your phone has enough battery.
- If it helps with your confidence, you might also want a friend or family member with you for support but remember they cannot speak on your behalf.
On the call
What to expect
In order to prepare and feel confident calling, it's helpful to know what kinds of questions you’ll likely be asked:
- You’ll be asked to provide some basic personal details such as your name, email address and phone number so we can share any outcomes with you and keep in touch.
- What course are you interested in study with us?
- What grades did you achieve at GCSE?
- What grades did you achieve at A-Level? Or if you didn’t take A-Levels, your equivalent to these?
If the course no longer has spaces or you don’t meet the requirements for your chosen course, they may suggest an alternative course that you would be suitable for, for example a foundation year which allows you to still study your preferred subject.
You might also want to use this opportunity to ask us any questions you might have, such as about any course modules you might be unsure on.
You’ll usually find out on the call if you have been accepted or not. The person you are speaking to as part of our Clearing Team will then advise you on what you need to do and what you can expect next.
Where an offer has been made this is usually followed up in an email so be sure to check your emails.
It is also important to be aware that there may be some cases where we need to check some of your information or we ask you to provide further information before we can confirm but we will be in touch as soon as we can to let you know.
Remember even if you’re feeling stressed about your situation the Clearing Team are there to help guide you through the process.